Teams and sponsors are starting to form for this year's Third Annual Ionia County Literacy Council's Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee, which is scheduled for April 9 at Ionia High School.

Ionia County Literacy Council Executive Director Cynthia Talcott said three people make up each team, and teams are being accepted through April 2.

"It's a good night to support the literacy council," said Talcott.

Last year, the team of Spell Chicks consisting of Kathy Bengel, Carol Abood-Palm and Cindy Walkington took first place out of seven teams with the word "ptomaine" being the word to defeat the First Bankers team. So far, Talcott said this year seven teams have registered, including those from Michigan One Credit Union, Sozo Coffee Roasting and Espresso Bar, Astera Credit Union, Ionia Rotary, Portland Adult Education, Firstbank and Ionia County offices.

This year's event will begin with a dinner at 6 p.m. and the competition will start at 7 p.m. Ionia County ISD Superintendent Robert Kjolhede is the emcee and ISD State and Federal Programs and Science Consultant Julie Milewski will be the word pronouncer.

"I love that the event is an equal opportunity team sport with lots of laughter. Anyone can be a part of a team and contribute. It's so much fun to watch the spirit of competition come alive as something as fundamental as spelling. As adults, we often forget to enjoy the simple things in life. The adult spelling bee has the power to make adults feel like kids again, but without the worry of a grade on a report card," said Milewski.